Transloading bridge for ramps



Sept. 1, 1970 K. ALTEN 3,526,011

TRANSLOADING BRIDGE FOR RAMPS Filed June 6, 1968 2 Shoots-Shoot .L

INVENTOR 7vr/ //7ea BY Sept. 1, 1970 ALTEN TRANSLQADING BRIDGE FOR RAMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet :2

Filed June 6, 1968 FIG.6

2", um. W

INVENTOR Zar/ ///e/r United States Patent Office 3,526,011 TRANSLOADING BRIDGE FOR RAMPS Kurt Alten, 14 Ringstrasse, 3015 Wennigsen am Deister, Germany Filed June 6, 1968, Ser. No. 735,037 Claims priority, application Germany, June 9, 1967, A 55,925; Dec. 21, 1967, A 57,761 Int. Cl. B65g 11/00 US. Cl. 14-71 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bridge arrangement preferably counterbalanced for resting lightly on a load surface. A main plate is pivoted at one end to a ramp. A main plate extension at the other end engages the load surface to form a bridge between the ramp and load surface. When not in use, the extension depends pivotally from the main plate. When in use, the extension pivots upwardly to a stopped position. The extension has sections on the outer edge which pivot a limited amount in the vertical direction and thus permit the bridge arrangement to fit on an inclined road surface.

The present invention relates to a transloading bridge for ramps with a bridge plate adapted at its rear end to be pivoted about a horizontal axis and having an extension for exclusively supporting the free end of the bridge plate when the bridge is used for loading or unloading the ramp, said extension being adapted when folded into the plane of the bridge plate to remain in said position. The said extension is pivotally connected to the end of the bridge plate and when the bridge is not used is foldable downwardly into a vertical position, whereas when the bridge is used, is foldable into the plane of the bridge plate.

In connection with transloading bridges, it is known pivotally to connect a plurality of extensions to the free end of the bridge plate, said extensions being pivotable individually. Aside from the fact that with this transloading bridge said bridge plate does not rest by means of extensions on the platform to be loaded or unloaded or is provided with special supporting means, said extensions merely serve to adapt the width of the bridge to the width of the platform to be loaded or unloaded inasmuch as more or less extensions are folded into their effective position.

It is an object of the present invention so to improve the above mentioned heretofore known transloading bridges that the transloading bridge can be safely driven over and that a sufficiently safe support of the bridge on the loading platform will be assured when the platform, for instance under a unilateral load of a vehicle, is somewhat inclined or no longer parallel to the pivot axis of the bridge or changes its position during the use of the bridge.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved transloading bridge which is easily handled, is of relatively simple construction and is safely operated.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following specification in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

-FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a side view of a transloading bridge according to the invention, said bridge being shown in two different positions.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the transloading bridge according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 represents a section taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical transverse section through the transloading bridge according to the invention and, more spe- 3,526,011 Patented Sept. 1, 1970 cifically, within the range of the sections at the free end of the transloading bridge in the direction from the ramp to the platform or the loading surface of the vehicle.

FIG. 5 represents a section taken along the line VV of FIG. 2 when extension means have an angular position according to full line illustration in a lower part of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. '5.

The above outlined objects have been realized according to the present invention by providing the extension at the end of the bridge plate with a plurality of sections each of which is pivotable about a shaft which is parallel to the pivot axis of said extension, the pivot angle being limited by abutments. Each of said sections is so dimensioned as to be able to exclusively support the bridge plate on the platform. For purposes of forming said sections, the extension is correspondingly subdivided by dividing said extension either over its entire width into said sections or the sections are formed only within the area of the marginal portions of the bridge.

This will bring about the advantage that the bridge operation will also be safely assured when the platform is inclined. That section which is within the area of the highest part of the platform will then serve as supporting member whereas the remaining sections are free to move downwardly in conformity with the inclination of the platform by correspondingly pivoting downwardly. In this way a non-permissible gap between the extension and the platform will be avoided. The bridge may then be driven over in a safe manner by conveying devices or the like even though the platform is inclined or inclines during the operation of the bridge.

In order to obtain a compact construction and for purposes of forming the two abutments, each section is advantageously provided with a continuation extending in the direction toward the rear end of the extension. This continuation engages a recess or cutout in the extension with such a play that the sections can be pivoted about and angle of from 5 to 25".

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the transloading bridge shown therein is pivotally connected to the loading ramp 3 by means of a pivot shaft 2 located at the rear end of the bridge plate 1. When the transloading bridge is not in use, it occupies such a position that its bridge plate 1 is in alignment with the top surface 4 of the ramp 3. The bridge 1 can then be manually grasped and can be tilted into its position of use. In this instance the bridge may occupy the dot-dash line position according to which it rests, by means of its front extension 5, on the loading surface 6 of a vehicle. This extension 5 will, when the bridge is not in use, occupy a vertical position as shown in full lines in FIG. 1. In one instance it serves as support for the front end of the bridge plate 1. The extension 5 is then supported by supports 3 having a knob 30 and firmly connected to the loading ramp 3 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

Below the bridge plate 1 there may also be provided counterweights 1 to balance the transloading bridge and to facilitate the pivoting of the bridge plate 1. Furthermore, when moving the bridge plate 1 into its position of use, the bridge plate 1 may be pivoted into a recess 7 located below the bridge plate 1 in the loading ramp 3 if the loading surface 6 is located lower than the upper surface 4 of the ramp.

The extension 5 is connected to the bridge plate 1, by plural hinged support with horizontal bolt means 8. When the extension 5 occupies its horizontal position, it rests upon the upper surface of a bracket member 9 fixedly connected to the bridge plate 1. When the transloading bridge occupiesits upper working position, the upper end of a fiat steel member 10 located on the extension 5 rests 3 against the end 11 of the bridge plate. These two abutments for the extension thus secure the respective bridge position or the two positions of the extension shown in FIG. 1.

The fiat steel member extends over the width of the bridge plate 1 and has such a weight that, when folding the extension 5 thereof from one end position to the other end position, a displacement of the center of gravity takes place collectively in such a way that the extension 5 automatically stays selectively in one or the other of the respective two positions shown in FIG. 1. Although this displacement of the center of gravity is particularly advantageous, also other means may be employedin order to assure that the extension 5 remains selectively in one or the other of said respective two end positions. To this end, shifting springs or arresting means may be utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 4, this figure shows the loading surface 6 inclined by an angle, [2 relative to the horizontal plane or the pivot axis 2. At the highest portion 6 of the loading surface 6 which faces toward the sections 13, the section 13' rests on the loading surface 6. This section transfers the entire bridge load in unloaded as well as in loaded condition of the bridge. This load is designated by the arrow L, whereas the remaining sections 13 which merely loosely rest on the loading surface will, due to their own weight indicated by the arrows B, rest on the loading surface 6. The bridge plate 1 and the extensions 5 thereof are balanced by a counter-weight 1' of the type shown in FIG. 1 in order to facilitate the tilting of the bridge by hand. In order to permit the bridge in operation automatically to adjust itself to the different levels of the loading surface 6, and also to assure that the loading bridge 6 during a lowering operation moves downwardly, the counter-weight 1' is so dimensioned that the bridge is slightly top heavy. When the bridge is not under load, it preferably rests upon the loading ramp 6 with a weight of from 5 to kilograms. Due to this top heaviness, a relief of the bridge at the front end occurs when the bridge rests on the loading surface 6 with the load B. This relief would cause the bridge plate 1 to rise inasmuch as the effect of the counter-weight 1 does not change. In order to keep this relief small and to prevent an undesired lifting of the bridge plate 1, the extensions 5 are made of light metal. The resultant relief at the free bridge end will be less than the above mentioned desired top heaviness. Therefore, the bridge plate 1 remains in its position when the condition of operation shown in FIG. 4 has been established.

Prior to or during the operation of the transloading bridge, the loading surface 6 according to FIG. 4, for instance during a non-uniform loading, may occupy a position in which it is inclined to one side or is no longer parallel to the shaft 2 or the bolt 8 so that the shaft 2 together with the loading surface 6 or the latter together wih the bolt 8 forms an angle b. In order also under these conditions to assure a proper support of the bridge plate 1 by means of the extension 5 on the loading surface 6, the longer leg 12 of the extension '5 is over the entire width of the bridge plate 1 subdivided into a plurality of closely spaced sections 13 each of which is pivotable by itself. These sections 13 are pivotally connected by means of hinges 14 to the extension 5. The hinge bolts 15 extend parallel to the bolts 8 and are machined out of the legs 12 which have a hollow profile. The sections 13 have fixedly connected thereto continuations16 which extend into the hollow chamber 17 of leg 12. In this way two abutments 18, 19 are obtained for the continuation which determine the tiltability of the sections 13.

In view of the inclination of the loading surface 6, the loading bridge on the loading surface 6, will have a highest point 6'. It is here that the section 13' rests on the loading surface 6 in such a way that by means of the respective section 13 the entire supporting load L is transferred at the front bridge end. The remaining sections 13 pivot automatically in the direction of the arrow 20 in such a way that their tips, in view of the weight B of said sections, engage the loading surface. In this way too great a gap is avoided and vehicles can safely drive thereover. The arrangement may be such that differences in height on the loading surface 6 may be compensated for up to 20 centimeters. By suitably selecting the dimensions for the sections 13, even greater differences may be compensated for readily.

The limited tiltability of the sections 13 has the advantage that the extension 5 may be so handled or pivoted as is the case with one-piece extensions 5 or legs 12. The division of the legs 12 thus into sections 13 does not impede or interfere with the operation of the extension. Furthermore, when the inclination of the loading surface changes during the operation of the bridge, a change in the supports may be effected in such a way that the support of the transloading bridge at the front end is shifted from one section to another section 13. The respective supporting section 13 will then occupy the position shown in FIG. 3 While the continuation 16 engages the abutment 18. During the folding move ment or in other conditions of operation of said sections, the continuation 16 rests against the abutment 19. On the other hand, the continuation 16 occupies intermediate positions when the pertaining section 13 by means of the loading surface 6 is prevented from tilting in the direction of the arow 20.

FIG. 5 additionally shows the shiftable support 3'. The support 3' is carried or journalled to be shiftable to and fro with respect to the ramp 3 by way of manual knob or handle 30. In the operating position according to FIG. 5, the support 3' extends into the recess 7 of the ramp; the fiat steel member 10 is supported upon the free end of this support 3' when the specific extension means 5 including parts 12, 13 thereof are pivotally moved downwardly as shown in FIG. 6. Since in this position the flat steel member 10 engages against the end 11 of the bridge plate 1, the bridge plate 1 is supported by way of the fiat steel member 10 against the ramp 3.

It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular construction shown in the drawing and that various modifications are possible, the invention being limited only by the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bridge arrangement for bridging between a fixed ramp and a load supporting member; and a main bridge plate extending outwardly from the ramp and pivoted on a first horizontal axis at its ramp end, and extension means pivoted on a second horizontal axis to the other end of said main bridge plate, said extension means selectively being movable in a range from an idle position wherein said extension means location is to extend downwardly from said other end of said main bridge plate and movable upwardl to a working position where in said extension means location is to form a continuation of said main bridge plate, cooperating elements of first abutment means on said extension means and said main bridge plate for stopping said extension means in said working position when moved thereto from said idle position, said extension means after upward movement automatically maintaining substantially coplanar relationship with said main bridge plate and comprising an .intermediate part adjacent said other end of said main bridge plate and having one side pivotally connected to the main bridge plate on said second horizontal axis, and a plurality of sections pivoted at their one end to the other side of said intermediate part on a third horizontal axis, said sections being adapted to have their other end rested on said load supporting member, and cooperating elements of second abutment means on said intermediate part and said sections to limit the pivotal movement of said sections individually with respect to said intermediate part.

2. A bridge construction according to claim 1 in which said second abutment means is in the form of a continuation on each said section extending substantially in a direction toward said main bridge plate, and recess forming means on said part for receiving said continuation.

3. A bridge construction according to claim 2, in which said sections are arranged in side by side relation and are coplanar collectively with respect to each other in their upper end position selectively as determined by said respective second abutment means while having independent freedom of pivotal movement on said third horizontal axis.

4. A bridge construction according to claim 2, in which said sections are arranged in side by side relation and are coplanar collectively with respect to each other in both of their end positions selectively as determined by said respective second abutment means while having independent freedom of pivotal movement on said third horizontal axis.

5. A bridge construstion according to claim 1, in which all three of said horizontal axes are parallel with respect to each other.

6. A bridge construction according to claim 5, in which said third horizontal axis is spaced laterally outwardly from said second horizontal axis and said second horizontal axis as well as said third horizontal axis are progressively further away from said first horizontal axis.

7. A bridge construction according to claim 1, in which said intermediate part has said sections individually and respectively pivoted thereto only at the ends while therebetween said intermediate part projects between the said sections at the ends of the said intermediate part.

8. A bridge construction according to claim 1, which includes counterbalance means connected to said main bridge plate and including collective weight respectively for counter balancing slightly less in total amount than that of the entire weight of the bridge arrangement.

9. A bridge construction according to claim 8, in which the amount of the weight of the bridge arrangement which is in excess of that matched by being counterbalanced is less than the weight supported by said load supporting member when said extension means collectively rest thereon.

10. A bridge construction according to claim 1, in which said extension means have a rear portion thereof as said intermediate part extending rearwardly toward the ramp end, said rear portion including upper and lower spaced surfaces and being pivotally mounted to a forward end of said main bridge plate so that said cooperating elements of said first and second abutment means at least provide limitation of upward movement, said extension means also having a forward portion thereof as said plurality of sections in lip configuration pivotally mounted on a forward end of said rear portion, and a rearwardly extending abutment on each of said lip sections extending into space between the upper and lower spaced surfaces of said rear section to limit pivotal movement of said lip sections.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,644,971 7/1953 ROWe 14-71 2,714,735 8/1955 Watson 14-71 3,087,178 4/1963 Loomis 14-71 2,881,458 4/1959 Rodgers 1471 3,087,178 4/1963 Loomis 14l7 3,175,238 3/1965 Pennington 14-71 3,426,377 2/1969 Beckwith 14-71 JACOB NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner 

